Floating platform from which to start water skiing

ABSTRACT

An apparatus to facilitate the take-off on water skis including flotation gear to support the skier at the water level for starting and having a seat or positioner associated with ski guides to initially establish a proper position and attitude of the skier relative to the skis and the water&#39;&#39;s surface.

United States Patent 1191 Cormier ]*June 18, 1974 1 FLOATING PLATFORMFROM WHICH TO 2,991,726 7/1961 3,179,222 4/1965 START WATER SKIING3,264,780 8/1966 [75] Inventor: Paul L. Cormier, Spencer, Mass.3,500,973 3 1970 [73] Assgnee Lamch Ware FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS1,303,040 7 1962 F 272 Notice: The portion of the term of this fame /565 patent subsequent to Mar. 17, 1990, has been disclaimed. PrimaryExaminer-Richard E. Aegerter Assistant ExaminerH. S. Lane [22] Filed1972 Attorney, Agent, or FirmNorman S. Blodgett; Gerry [21] Appl. No.:238,043 A. Blodgett [52] US. Cl. 193/2 R, 104/53, 114/235 WS,

193/35 R, 238/10 R, 272/565 [57] ABSTRACT An ppa to facilitate the of ner is [58] Field of Search 272/565; 193/35 R, 1 R,

93 2 R 104 70 H4 235 238/10 including flotation gear to support theskier at the l 2 water level for starting and having a seat orpositioner 21 associated with ski guides to initially establish a properposition and attitude of the skier relative to the skis [56] Referencescued and the waters surface.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,439,649 4/1948 Cohn 46/93 9 Claims, 11 DrawingFigures FLOATING PLATFORM FROM WHICH TO START WATER SKIINGCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT This invention is an improvement on mypreviously known starter for use with water skis which is shown in myprior US. Pat. No. 3,179,222 issued Apr. 20, 1965. This known startershows a ski slideway adapted to be fixedly mounted near the watersurface, which can be made light weight and portable, but whichnonetheless is adaptably supported on stationary legs while in use toposition the stationary ski guides approximately at the level of thewater.

This invention is also an improvement over my previously known startershown in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,978 issued Mar. 17, 1970. In thiscase, the slideway is provided with flotation,-eliminating the need forsupport by stationary legs.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates towater ski starting devices like that shown in my aforementioned patentsbut is distinguished from these known devices in providing tionedpatents, a critical speed is required to produce.

the necessary hydro-dynamic lift on the skis and during the take-off orstarting procedure the skier must accelerate from a stationary positionto a speed equal to or faster than the critical speed. This inventionmakes it possible to accomplish the necessary acceleration from a deadstart to hydro-dynamic support speed as smoothly as possible andminimizes jerking and straining in order to make the take-off easy andsafe. It is also operative to minimize any disturbance to the skiersbalance which might be expected to be felt upon the transition from thestarter apparatus to the full water support of the skier.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improvedwater ski starter device that makes the skiers take-off easy and safe.

It is another object of the invention to provide a water ski take-offguide means that can be used with a boat that is started from an idlingspeed.

It is another object of the invention to provide a floating water skistarter that is always positioned at the level of the water.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a water skistarter apparatus having positioningmeans thereon to encourage the skierto assume the proper position relative to the skis and their planing,position on the water such that surer and safer starts result.

These and other objects will appear more fully below in the moredetailed description and drawings forming a part of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thestarter apparatus in use,

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the starter apparatus,

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus,

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus,

FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of the rear part of the apparatus,

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view along the line VI-VI,

FIG. 7 is a cross-section view along the line VIIVII,

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view along line VIII--Vlll,

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view along the line IX-IX,

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view along the line X-X,

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view along line XIXI.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The starter apparatus for waterskiers here shown is adapted to float in the water and thus ensures thatthe skier takes off exactly on the plane of the waters surface. For thispurpose the preferred form of the apparatus includes a body 10constructed of high density polyethylene and forming a hollow chamberfor flotation of the apparatus. The body is relatively long, wide andflat thereby giving stability to the apparatus and smoothing out theeffects of choppiness in the water or running waves. The flotation is ofsuch magnitude that the bodys floating characteristics are not greatlyaffected by the weight of the skier.

The hollow body 10 is constructed of an upper shell 11 and a lower shell12. The shells contact, by nesting peripheral, concave, downwardlydirected flanges 36 and 37 provided on each shell (see FIGS. 6 and 7).When secured with adhesive, this flange connection provides not only astrong, rigid air-tight seal, but also a peripheral handle. The body ismade even more strong and rigid by centrally located ribs (see FIGS. 6and 7). These ribs are formed by contact of the open ended guide slots21 and 22, which are formed longitudinally and concave, upwardlydirected in the upper shell, and the skegs l3 and 14 formed in the lowershell 12. These ribs can be used to divide the body into airtightcompartments.

Further crush-resistance is provided by impressions 15 that rise. fromthe lower shell to contact the upper shell.

The ski tracks 38 and 39 are formed of parallel impressions in the uppershell running longitudinally of the body. Each of the two ski tracks 38and 39 consists of an open-ended guide slot 21 or 22, two horizontalfloor elements 17 and 18 or 19 and 20, adjacent and parallel to theslot, and guide walls. The guide walls include a center guide wall 23and inside guide walls 34 and 35.

The ski tracks are so impressed and related to the flotation center ofthe body, that although the front end of the track is at water level,the rear end is considerably above the water level. Thus, the track issloped downwardly from rear to front. This slope not only helps in skieracceleration but also compensates for slight rear end dips thataccompany the start of acceleration. To further smooth out the initialacceleration, rollers 25 are provided in aperture 24 at the take-upportion of the track.

The upper surface is also provided with holes 40 5 through the body forsecuring it in position, hand holds The upper surface is also providedwith a positioner 29 consisting of a seat 44 and legs 45 that positionthe seat over the tracks.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the flotation gear is designed to have goodstability when a person is on the top side of the apparatus as it floatsin the water. It is also arranged to float sufficiently deep in thewater such that the water level floods the slots 21 and 22 and the floorelements l7, 18, 19 and 20 at the front end. This relationship isevident upon inspection of the left end of the representation includedin FIG. 1.

In use, the skier mounts the apparatus, which can be held stationary bystakes as shown in FIG. 1, and takes his seat on positioner 29. The skisare set on rollers 25 to be positioned over the respective floorelements 17 and 18, and 19 and 20. The two skis are thus each looselypositioned to be moved between the inside walls 34 and 35 of flotationelement and the center guide wall 23. The skier inserts his feet in theharness on the skis and is ready for take-off.

With the apparatus here described, a boat may be gently moved intoposition and may even be allowed to drift into position to take up theslack in the tow rope. When all is in readiness the motor is gunned andtakeoff begins. As the skier is pulled forwardly he slides off the seatas the skis begin to move on rollers 25. The keels of the respectiveskis are guided by slots 21 and 22 and as the skiers body begins to moveforwardly, there is a transfer of weight from the positioner to the skiswhen the buttocks leave the seat, which change in weight distributionnudges the skis forwardly and down the slope of the tracks. All of thisaction occurs rather instantaneously and automatically as forward motionis produced by the pull of the motorboat on the tow line, but theactions are guided by the relationship of positioner 29 and rollers 25so that even an inexperienced skier is started forwardly without anyjerk or other undue starting movement that might cause a loss ofbalance. Continued forward pull with an even rate of accelerationcompletes the take-off as the skis glide down the guide channels. Theguide way of the starter apparatus has sufficient length so that by thetime the skis reach the end of the floor elements 17, 18, 19 and 20, thespeed is sufficient to produce the necessary hydrodynamic reaction tosupport the skier on the top of the water. Since the flotation gearalways supports the end of the floor elements in position to be just atthe level of the water, it is apparent that the skier is guided on hisway at least in the beginning with a proper positioning of the knees,body and arms, and is delivered from the end of the starter apparatuswith sufficient speed to continue his journey with a minimum liabilityof tumbling into the water and consequently being ducked at thebeginning of a run as so frequently happens to the inexperienced skier.The positive control of ski action coupled with the smooth pullgenerated when a boat is started from an idling position, provides anideal arrangement for starting the water skier on his journey.

A single ski may be used by a more experienced skier and if required atthe start, a second balancing ski can be used in the other channelduring take-off. It is obvious that this flotation ski start apparatusmay be utilized at any location either in deep water or shallow. It maybe allowed to drift or may be anchored. The apparatus is designed tohave sufficient length and weight to be considered a permanent fixtureto be left in the water the same as an outboard boat and where tides orchanging water level conditions are present, always floats at the waterlevel to be ready at all times for immediate use.

The apparatus can easily be adapted for use with water sleds, but forall of the reasons apparent from reading the description above, it findsparticular use for guiding water skiers on take-off.

The apparatus here disclosed is particularly useful for teachingbeginners the art of water skiing. It is extremely difficult to masterthe balance required for an unassisted take-off from a position in thewater and otherwise a sudden jerk type of pull must be mastered if astart is to be made from the shore line. The problems associated withsuch take-offs are very difficult for beginners to contend with, as morefully set forth in my earlier patents mentioned above. As compared withthe patented structures the improvement provided by this invention is ofgreat value to the beginner because of the assured smooth glide from thesupported engagement of the skis on the apparatus to the fully watersupported hydro-dynamic ride. With the new apparatus, the transitionfrom the floating means to the hydrodynamic support is automaticallycontrolled and is always perfect. In the older, prior device, manualadjustment to provide a fixed setting might not always provide for asmooth transition. Also, in water which may be somewhat wavy, only anaverage setting can be made, but with my new invention, even in waves, asmooth transition takes place. This is particularly helpful in the caseof beginners and adds a considerable degree of comfort to take-offs evenfor experienced skiers. In the present invention this smooth take-off isimproved even further over the more recent prior device by the slope ofthe track. The skier is actually being pulled down hill during theinitial acceleration. Because the weight transfer brings naturaldownward and forward motion, the skier does not experience as great ashock of momentum transfer.

The flotation gear is preferably provided with a wide spread so that theapparatus will not tip over easily. As shown in the drawings, it ispreferred that a rather flat tank be provided, laid flatwise in thewater. Such disposition controls the depth to which the apparatus sinkswhen skiers of different weights climb aboard and the difference betweenmaximum and minimum submersion is kept within very close limits by suchdisposition of the tank.

The length of the guideway and float apparatus is not critical. It canbe shortened when more powerful boats are used to accelerate the skieror a longer run can be provided if boats with a slower pick-up are to beused.

The description above covers the preferred form of my invention, butmany modifications thereof may occur to those skilled in the art whichwill fall within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A water ski launcher comprising a. an elongated main body ofsubstantial flotation throughout and formed of hollow plastic, andhaving broad upper and lower surfaces,

b. two parallel tracks formed on the upper surface of the main body,

0. a guide groove formed in each track, the depth of the groove beingthe same from one end of the main body to the other, each trackconsisting of flat surfaces on either side of a groove and sloping withrespect to said lower surface from the said one end to the other.

2. A water ski launcher, as recited in claim 1, wherein the surfaces ofthe tracks are provided with longitudinal grooves.

3. A water ski launcher as recited in claim 1, wherein the said uppersurface of the main body is provided with non-skid areas.

4. A water ski launcher as recited in claim 1, wherein the main body isprovided with an outwardly-extending horizontal strengthening flangelying midway between the said upper and lower surfaces and extendingsubstantially entirely around its periphery.

5. A water ski launcher as recited in claim 4, wherein a seat is locatedover the said one end and furnished with legs that clamp to the saidstrengthening flange.

6. A water ski launcher as recited in claim 1, wherein the plastic is ahighdensity polyethylene.

7. A water ski launcher as recited in claim 4, wherein the main body isformed from two sheets of plastic, the sheets being drawn intooppositely-directed cavities and the edges of the dies containing thecavities pressing the periphery of the sheets together to form the saidflange.

8. A water ski launcher as recited in claim 7, wherein the sheets areformed with inwardly-directed protuberances whose peaks are weldedtogether and pierced to provide an anchoring bore through the main body.

9. A water ski launcher as recited in claim 1, wherein each of thesurfaces has an upper face and a lower face, and the opposed lower faceof the upper surface and the upper face of the lower surface are spaceda substantial distance from one another except that the groove forms adownwardly-directed protuberance in the upper surface which contacts theupper face of the lower surface.

1. A water ski launcher comprising a. an elongated main body ofsubstantial flotation throughout and formed of hollow plastic, andhaving broad upper and lower surfaces, b. two parallel tracks formed onthe upper surface of the main body, c. a guide groove formed in eachtrack, the depth of the groove being the same from one end of the mainbody to the other, each track consisting of flat surfaces on either sideof a groove and sloping with respect to said lower surface from the saidone end to the other.
 2. A water ski launcher, as recited in claim 1,wherein the surfaces of the tracks are provided with longitudinalgrooves.
 3. A water ski launcher as recited in claim 1, wherein the saidupper surface of the main body is provided with non-skid areas.
 4. Awater ski launcher as recited in claim 1, wherein the main body isprovided with an outwardly-extending horizontal strengthening flangelying midway between the said upper and lower surfaces and extendingsubstantially entirely around its periphery.
 5. A water ski launcher asrecited in claim 4, wherein a seat is located over the said one end andfurnished with legs that clamp to the said strengthening flange.
 6. Awater ski launcher as recited in claim 1, wherein the plastic is ahigh-density polyethylene.
 7. A water ski launcher as recited in claim4, wherein the main body is formed from two sheets of plastic, thesheets being drawn into oppositely-directed cavities and the edges ofthe dies containing the cavities pressing the periphery of the sheetstogether to form the said flange.
 8. A water ski launcher as recited inclaim 7, wherein the sheets are formed with inwardly-directedprotuberances whose peaks are welded together and pierced to provide ananchoring bore through the main body.
 9. A water ski launcher as recitedin claim 1, wherein each of the surfaces has an upper face and a lowerface, and the opposed lower face of the upper surface and the upper faceof the lower surface are spaced a substantial distance from one anotherexcept that the groove forms a downwardly-directed protuberance in theupper surface which contacts the upper face of the lower surface.